The Secret Service is under intense scrutiny after a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, climbed onto a rooftop and fired at Trump, hitting his ear. Witnesses, including Michael Difrischia, observed Crooks scaling the building and tried to warn the Secret Service and police but were ignored.
Difrischia, who recorded the incident, said he and his wife saw Crooks with a rifle and alerted law enforcement for several minutes before the shooting. Despite these warnings, Crooks managed to shoot at Trump. The Secret Service quickly retaliated, killing the shooter, but the delay in their response has raised serious concerns.
Political commentator and former NYPD officer criticized the Secret Service on social media, suggesting their counter-sniper team had visual contact with Crooks but allowed him to shoot first. This viewpoint is supported by other rally-goers who claim they pointed out the shooter to authorities well before the attack.
Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino called the agency’s response a “catastrophic failure” and urged Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign, citing repeated denials for increased security around Trump despite known threats. The FBI has also questioned the Secret Service’s handling of the situation, noting the shooter was outside the established security perimeter.
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) have demanded a detailed briefing from the Secret Service. Waltz indicated that reliable sources confirmed repeated requests for enhanced protection were ignored, potentially endangering Trump’s life.
As the investigation unfolds, the Secret Service faces mounting pressure to explain their security lapses and ensure improved protection measures are in place for future events, especially with the upcoming Republican National Convention.
